What Types of Real Estate Should I Invest In?

As a property investor, you need to show discernment. If you’re diligent, you’ll travel several times a year to investigate properties and determine if they fit your portfolio. At a certain point, it becomes wise to question what properties you want to have in your portfolio. With several options to choose from, you can narrow your search, and even specialize. Over time, and with effort, you will begin to identify a niche that suits you and your business.

Single-Family Dwellings

Single-family dwellings remain a stable, secure source of income for property investors. The right tenants will respect your home, hold down a steady job, and stay in contact with you. With only one unit, there’s only one check to wait for, and the right tenant will bring it on time. If you choose the right tenant, you set yourself up for a reliable income for several years.

To find a quality tenant, you need to establish the right criteria, and stick to your process. Finding your tenant may take you some time, so you’ll want to position yourself so that you're not desperate. Getting rid of an uncooperative or unreliable tenant is much more difficult than finding a good one. Be patient.

If there is a disadvantage to single-family dwellings, it might be that it takes owning several to grow your wealth. You will need to search for many houses per month to consistently find ones that offer good value. Also, each home has its own challenges concerning maintenance and tenancy. However, the more homes you acquire, the easier it becomes to manage your portfolio. So, the better you are at management, the more properties you can acquire.

Multi-Unit Apartments (2-4 units)

When classifying multi-unit rental properties, most municipalities draw the line at four units. If your property has more than four, then you have different responsibilities to the law than otherwise. Smaller apartment buildings are easier to manage, and a good intermediate step for investors. With only a few reliable tenants to find, one can attain a constant source of income with some effort.

Low-Rent Multi-Unit Dwellings

With low-rent housing, you can often find plenty of tenants. However, profit margins for such units are often small. With evictions and other problems, they really are a labor of love. Yet, as stated, this housing is in high demand.

Mid-Rent Multi-Unit Dwellings

These units are often the best for profitability. They encounter fewer maintenance challenges, charge significant rent, and are more profitable. The key to acquiring such property is knowing where the demand will be in the immediate and long-term future.

High-rent Multi-Unit Dwellings

These apartments are great for income. Despite the higher rent, if well-located, you’ll enjoy a high demand. The challenge with these properties is that the facilities themselves make use of high-end materials and technology. They are not inexpensive to repair.

Also, if a significant problem occurs, repairs may be costlier than with a simpler building. You really have to focus on preventative maintenance, and stay on top of cleaning and other cosmetic challenges. If you do though, and if your tenants are relatively easy going, you can make a considerable profit.

Single-Tenant Net Lease Properties

These properties are a kind of commercial leasing. They can be very lucrative; the tenant generally absorbs the maintenance costs, and leases tend to last a long time. With contracts of 20 years or more, you will need a plan when you see them coming to an end. However, these properties favor government agencies, corporations, and reputable businesses, so they’re often worth the trouble.

Storage Facilities

Investing in these facilities is a viable choice for many reasons. A large variety of people need to store their excess items, and as a result, utilize these businesses. These people include: students, veterans, homeowners, senior citizens, and even other business owners. This means that potential tenants come from a broad range of demographics.

Strip Malls

While you may read about the decline of strip malls, whether or not to invest in them is a matter of the market you’re in. The critical factor is location. An area with medium to higher income with low unemployment is the prime target. Coupled with an urban or suburban area with a population of 50,000 or more, a commercial strip mall will most likely yield excellent results.

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